Patina for German Silver.

[freeloader]

I have just finished a knife for my sons up coming b-day., It is 19th century, short six inch blade with german silver guard and an antler handle. I am pretty well versed in brass and steel, but I was wondering how do you patina German silver? I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks,
Freeloader
PS JAMES, GOOD WORK

 

[Glaisne]

If there is any silver in it, you can use Liver of Sulfur. It stinks like hell. Another method you can try is the yolk from hard boiled eggs. Shield the metal from the yolk with a paper towel and seal it in a ziploc baggies for a few days.

It's worth a shot. It works on silver and sterling.

 

[LRB]

German silver is a nickel alloy. There is no silver in it, though at it's price, there should be. Try cold blue, ammonia fumes, BP fowling.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Ordinary mustard should work, also, or anything else that has vinegar in it.

 

[freeloader]

Thanks Cannon and Wick,
I think I will stay away from the rotten eggs and liver. Although I have plenty of BP fouling and mustard sounds good. If that does not work I can at least use it on a hot dog.
Thanks fellows.Any more ideas?

 

[omarick1948]

I know it would probably be impossible for your knife, but a friend of mine who does Trade Silver and German Silver TS use's a propane torch and gets the GS hot, so it has a light fire scale on it and the buffs the scale off to give it a tarnished effect. Don't know how you'd do this on a finished knife! :hmm:

Rick

 

[LaBonte]

The best (and believe me I've tried it all) for getting a blue gray patina on GS is Birchwood Casey's Super Blue (not their Perma Blue) - it was developed for nickel steel barrels and thus works on GS with it's high nickel content.

 

[LRB]

Good tip, and good to know. Thanks Chuck.

 

[freeloader]

Hey Thanks You guys,
I tried formula 44/40 instant blue on the guard and the blade, and it worked quite well, I had to work it back with BC Rust and blue remover and a litte 4ooo wool, but it turned out fine. I have used this method on blades,hawks,brass and such, I guess I just did not think it would work one Nickel silver.(BUT IT DID)
THANKS FOR YOU HELP GUYS, I would still enjoy any of your solutions! ( always experimenting Your Pal, Freeloader.

 

[bingo1952]

With todays modern chemical formulations you can achieve about any color desired But the natural patination color of German silver is a slight yelowing.

 

[omarick1948]

With todays modern chemical formulations you can achieve about any color desired But the natural patination color of German silver is a slight yelowing.

That's because of the brass make up in GS. Some of the old Jewlers called German Silver, White Brass!

 

[LaBonte]

With todays modern chemical formulations you can achieve about any color desired But the natural patination color of German silver is a slight yelowing.

True for most of today'snickel alloys due to the lower nickel content and higher copper/zinc content - typically todays NIckel/Germans Silver is only 18% Nickel, with the 28-32% Nickel alloys (hard to find) they age to a nice silvery blue/gray patina rather than the yellowish one.

That's because of the brass make up in GS. Some of the old Jewlers called German Silver, White Brass!

Many still do - especially those who cast it.